Arizona Department of Public Safety to accept first officer applications since 2008

PHOENIX - The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Tuesday they will begin accepting applications for sworn officer positions throughout the state.

The department has not hired sworn officers since 2008 due to the economy, according to their website.

DPS will begin accepting applications beginning June 29 and they will only be accepted online through the DPS website . Until then, applicants can fill out a job interest card which is also available on the website.

The department is looking to fill officer positions in rural areas of the state. Applicants should be willing to live in areas such as Page, Winslow, Quartzsite, Benson, Wilcox, Safford, Bisbee, Sierra Vista or Wikieup, according to DPS.

Hired applicants will attend a one week pre-academy at DPS and the first training academy class will start in November, graduating in April 2013.

DPS has 20 positions reserved in this class

The second training academy class will start in February, 2013.

After graduating, the new officers will attend an eight-week post academy at DPS and then 12 weeks of field training for their duty post.

According to the website, Cadet Officers earn $38,335 while in training and when promoted to Officer the entry annual salary is $44,724.99.